Bringing Project-Based Learning to Life in Mathematics, K-12

Maggie McHugh believes all students are creative, compassionate, intellectual learners who, when given the right educational conditions, grow to be insightful, engaged citizens in our society. For Maggie, Project-Based Learning (PBL) lays the foundation for every learner to find success. As the Innovation Specialist at La Crosse Polytechnic, a project based secondary school in La Crosse, WI, Maggie has the honor of exploring the world alongside her students, guiding classes such as STEM, Humanities, Makerspace, and Mathematics. Additionally, Maggie has the pleasure of serving as a National Faculty member for PBLWorks, traveling the United States to work with educators on implementing PBL in their classroom and district. To uplift the mathematics community, Maggie serves as the Wisconsin Mathematics Council Annual Conference Co-Chair. She is also a member of NCTM’s Classroom Resource Committee. Maggie is the 2021 Midwest Regional winner of the National University Teacher Award and the Wisconsin Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2019. She received the state honors for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Maggie has her National Board Certification in early adolescence mathematics. Maggie’s dedication to empowering all learners is fueled by her “kiddos” who daily remind her of the courage, compassion, and perseverance needed to continuously become a better “you”.

This book goes beyond being a primer of how to implement the ambitious and needed ideas of project-based learning (PBL) in any mathematics classroom. It is a book that enthusiastically embraces a wide scholarship of ideas while communicating them with a lightness and whimsy that inspires you to take the needed journey that is intimated in its title. The future of math education lies in imagining classrooms that are not only equitable in their design, but also equitable in their implementation. The best mathematical experiences lie in wait with PBL. This book must be considered the gold standard for creating those student and teacher experiences.

• IntroductionSection I. The WhyChapter 1: Why Now?Chapter 2: PBL Mathematics: Equitable, Engaging, and EffectiveChapter 3: From Problem to ProjectSection III. The WhatChapter 4: Chapter 4. Rigorous ContentChapter 5: Productive InquiryChapter 6: Identity and AgencyChapter 7: Authentic ConnectionsChapter 8: Meaningful AssessmentChapter 9: Growth through ReflectionSection III. The HowChapter 10: Classroom CultureChapter 11: Role of the PBL Mathematics TeacherChapter 12: Find InspirationChapter 13: LaunchChapter 14: Craft MilestonesChapter 15: ManageChapter 16: AssessChapter 17: ReflectChapter 18: Design the ExperienceConclusion